2449 Accessible Materials for a Spiritual Life (Dec. 4, 2024)


2449 Accessible Materials for a Spiritual Life (Dec. 4, 2024)


Show Notes

Accessible religious materials enable people to fully engage with their communities. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Livia Thompson from JBI and Malachy Fallon from Xavier Society for the Blind about how each organization produces materials in braille, audio, and large print to help visually impaired patrons participate in family and congregational events.

2448 Guide to iOS 18 Enhancements for Accessibility (Nov. 27, 2024)


2448 Guide to iOS 18 Enhancements for Accessibility (Nov. 27, 2024)


Show Notes

Shelly Brisbin, a technology journalist and author, discusses the new revision of her book “iOS Access for All – Your comprehensive guide to accessibility for iPhone and iPad”. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Shelly about new features in iOS for blind and low vision users, including enhancements to braille keyboard, point and speak, hover typing, and Apple Intelligence.

2447 Unseen – Life as a Blind Immigrant (Nov. 20, 2024)


2447 Unseen – Life as a Blind Immigrant (Nov. 20, 2024)


Show Notes

Pedro, a blind immigrant, recounts his journey toward education and a career in social work. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Pedro and Set Hernandez, director of the documentary “Unseen: Life as a Blind Immigrant,” which describes Pedro’s journey. They delve into the obstacles, anxieties, and challenges Pedro encountered along the way.

2446 Encore of 1913 Two Blind Brothers Clothing Line (Nov. 13, 2024)


2446 Encore of 1913 Two Blind Brothers Clothing Line (Nov. 13, 2024)


Show Notes

Two Blind Brothers makes ultra-soft clothing from natural fibers for the sole purpose of funding blindness research and being part of finding a cure. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with brothers and founders Bryan and Bradford Manning, who are both blind, about how their company got started and what is special about their clothing line.

2445 Shopping Made Simple with Innosearch AI (Nov. 6, 2024)


2445 Shopping Made Simple with Innosearch AI (Nov. 6, 2024)


Show Notes

Discover how Innosearch AI is revolutionizing online shopping for the visually impaired. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Patrick Long and Bryan Vuong, co-founders of Innosearch AI, about their AI-powered platform designed to make shopping easier and more accessible with a simplified interface and the ability to ask questions of the AI.

2444 Encore of 1739 Running with a Remote Aira Guide (Oct. 30, 2024)


2444 Encore of 1739 Running with a Remote Aira Guide (Oct. 30, 2024)


Show Notes

Aira is a service developed to give the blind instant access to information using a smart phone, a video camera, and a remote sighted agent. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Erich Manser, a blind distance runner and triathlete, and Jess Jakeway, a sighted distance runner who served as Erich’s remote guide using Aira at the 2017 Boston Marathon.

2443 Aira Anytime Anywhere (Oct. 23, 2024)


2443 Aira Anytime Anywhere (Oct. 23, 2024)


Show Notes

Learn how Aira is revolutionizing accessibility for the visually impaired with its blend of human interpreters and AI. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Everette Bacon, Chief of Blindness Initiatives, about Aira’s partnerships offering free services in many locations. Find out how Aira provides secure access to visual information anytime, anywhere.


2441 Finding Your Path to Financial Freedom (Oct. 9, 2024)


2441 Finding Your Path to Financial Freedom (Oct. 9, 2024)


Show Notes

Reaching your financial goals isn’t always easy and may be even more difficult if you have a disability. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Rachel Christian, the visually impaired founder of Unseen Wealth, about how she helps and coaches families with unique needs get control over their finances through personalized goal setting and education.

2439 From Pups to Partners – Raising Guide Dogs (Sep. 25, 2024)


2439 From Pups to Partners – Raising Guide Dogs (Sep. 25, 2024)


Show Notes

Learn what it is like to raise a guide dog. Hosts Nancy and Peter talk with Lauren Grimditch, Puppy Raising Field Manager for Guide Dogs for the Blind, and Jenny Truax, a dedicated volunteer. They discuss the journey of raising guide dogs, the responsibilities involved, and the rewarding experiences of volunteers who help shape these future heroes.

2438 Leashed and Left Behind – Ending Rideshare Discrimination (Sep. 18, 2024)


2438 Leashed and Left Behind – Ending Rideshare Discrimination (Sep. 18, 2024)


Show Notes

Rideshare drivers often deny service to passengers with guide dogs despite company policies and laws protecting them. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Amy Salger, Alumni Engagement Manager at Guide Dogs for the Blind, and board member Melba Velez Ortiz about a survey by GDB highlighting the alarming rise in discrimination and the fight for accessible transportation.

2437 For All Your Access Technology News (Sep. 11, 2024)


2437 For All Your Access Technology News (Sep. 11, 2024)


Show Notes

If you’re not familiar with Top Tech Tidbits or Access Information News, you might want to learn more about these informative newsletters and websites. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Aaron Di Blasi, Senior Project Management Professional for Mind Vault Solutions, about how they have come to be important resources for the access community.

2435 AI Video Descriptions with PiccyBot (Aug. 28, 2024)


2435 AI Video Descriptions with PiccyBot (Aug. 28, 2024)


Show Notes

There are several AI tools that vision impaired people can use for describing scenes and photos to assist in their daily lives. PiccyBot is unique, however, in that it also has the ability to describe video content. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Martijn van der Spek, developer of the app, about how it works and its many customizable features.

2434 Biking Beyond the Breaking Point (Aug. 21, 2024)


2434 Biking Beyond the Breaking Point (Aug. 21, 2024)


Show Notes

Hard as one might try, success in achieving one’s goal isn’t always guaranteed. When one misses the goal, however, the question is how one reacts to failure and what one learns from it. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Dave Wilkinson about these issues as they relate to his unsuccessful attempt to complete a 3,000-mile cross country bike race.

2433 The Evolution of Benetech and Bookshare (Aug. 14, 2024)


2433 The Evolution of Benetech and Bookshare (Aug. 14, 2024)


Show Notes

Benetech has made it possible for people around the world who are blind, visually impaired, or print disabled to access printed books and educational materials. Hosts Nancy and Peter talk with CEO Ayan Kishore about the evolution of Benetech and Bookshare, and how they are using AI to enhance the accessibility of STEM content in their books.

2432 Strike Up Some Fun By Bowling (Aug. 7, 2024)


2432 Strike Up Some Fun By Bowling (Aug. 7, 2024)


Show Notes

Participating in a sport can get you out meeting people, making friends, and staying healthy by being active. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Robert “Doc” Wright who has been a blind bowler for many years. He tells how the sport works for someone with vision loss and how you can find one of the many blind bowling leagues around the country.

2431 All Ears on Deck with Storymore Audio Dramas (Jul. 31, 2024)


2431 All Ears on Deck with Storymore Audio Dramas (Jul. 31, 2024)


Show Notes

If you like listening to audio dramas then you’ll like Storymore. If you are a visually impaired creator you might even like being a contributor to help create a radio drama with others around the world. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with CEO Micah Thomas and SVP Tanja Milojevic about Storymore, its origins, how it works, and the content they produce.

2430 Getting the Feel of the Game (Jul. 24, 2024)


2430 Getting the Feel of the Game (Jul. 24, 2024)


Show Notes

If you can’t see what is happening on the field, it is difficult to fully enjoy live sports even if it is being announced. But there might be another way. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Jerred Mace, CEO and co-founder of OneCourt, about how their unique technology enables blind users to enjoy watching live sports using a tactile display.

2429 Your Meds Made Clear (Jul. 17, 2024)


2429 Your Meds Made Clear (Jul. 17, 2024)


Show Notes

Do you struggle to read prescription labels? If so, you should know that En-Vision America partners with many pharmacies to provide talking prescription labels as well as labels in braille or large print at no additional cost to you. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Jenna Reed, marketing director at En-Vision America, about the service and how it works.

2427 Blind Not Broken – A Journey from Darkness to Determination (Jul. 3, 2024)


2427 Blind Not Broken – A Journey from Darkness to Determination (Jul. 3, 2024)


Show Notes

Lucy Edwards is an English influencer, disability activist, and journalist. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Lucy about her new book “Blind Not Broken” in which she shares her inspiring journey of adapting to vision loss during her teenage years, her struggles, triumphs, and how she emerged successful and content.

2426 Behind the Scenes – The Art of Audio Description (Jun. 26, 2024)


2426 Behind the Scenes – The Art of Audio Description (Jun. 26, 2024)


Show Notes

Dive into the world of live performance through the eyes of an audio describer. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Amy Ogden, an audio describer for live theater and ballet. Amy shares insights from her training and highlights the importance of precise descriptions and supplementary background material in enhancing the live performance experience.

2425 Bringing a New Dimension to Audio Description (Jun. 19, 2024)


2425 Bringing a New Dimension to Audio Description (Jun. 19, 2024)


Show Notes

The Miners Alley Performing Arts Center offers audio described performances with a twist: a tactile tour backstage before each described show! Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Executive Director Lisa DeCaro and Patron Services Manager Amy Arpan about their audio description service and get a tactile tour from Production Stage Manager Lexi Holtzer.

2424 Guiding Emily – A Story of Loss and Resilience to Rediscovery (Jun. 12, 2024)


2424 Guiding Emily – A Story of Loss and Resilience to Rediscovery (Jun. 12, 2024)


Show Notes

The Guiding Emily series of books tells the story of how a woman who is suddenly blinded adjusts to life coping with divorce, pressures of a professional career, family relations, and more. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with author Barbara Hinske about the inspiration for the series and how the first book in the series was turned into a movie.

2423 Your Reading, Your Podcast, Your Way (Jun. 5, 2024)


2423 Your Reading, Your Podcast, Your Way (Jun. 5, 2024)


Show Notes

Listen Later transforms articles, websites, and written content into podcasts that you can listen to in your favorite podcast app. Simply e-mail a link or attachment and hear it read out loud in a natural voice! Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with founder Yalim Gerger to explore how Listen Later can change the way you consume information.

2422 Low Vision Connections with CCLVI (May 29, 2024)


2422 Low Vision Connections with CCLVI (May 29, 2024)


Show Notes

The Council of Citizens with Low Vision International (CCLVI) is an affiliate program of the American Council of the Blind. Their mission is to connect low vision individuals to share information, experiences, and fun. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey speak with members Christine Chaikin and Tom Frank about the group and the resources they offer.

2421 Behind the Screen at NV Access (May 22, 2024)


2421 Behind the Screen at NV Access (May 22, 2024)


Show Notes

Development of the free and open source NVDA screen reader from NV Access began in 2006 and has served as a vital tool for blind people around the world. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Mick Curran, creator and co-developer, and Gerald Hartig, the newly announced CTO of NV Access, about how they plan to transition into the future.

2420 Helping Improve Accessibility with Fable (May 15, 2024)


2420 Helping Improve Accessibility with Fable (May 15, 2024)


Show Notes

Fable was formed to assist large enterprises in improving digital accessibility for people with various disabilities. They do this by hiring disabled community members to test and provide feedback on web sites, applications, and products. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Shane Kehoe and Lynette Frison from Fable about the company and how you can join in.

2419 When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Pottery (May 8, 2024)


2419 When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Pottery (May 8, 2024)


Show Notes

With the right attitude, life’s unexpected adversities can sometimes open up new doors and opportunities. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Tim Clark who suddenly lost virtually all of his sight in one eye while at work one day. During his recovery, he discovered the joy of pottery and now creates tactile works of art that can be enjoyed by all.

2418 Get Started On Starting Your Own Business (May 1, 2024)


2418 Get Started On Starting Your Own Business (May 1, 2024)


Show Notes

The Forsythe Entrepreneurial Center at The Chicago Lighthouse provides business startup educational workshops and certification programs for vision impaired people who want to start or run their own business. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Colleen Wunderlich, Vice President of Partnerships, about the Forsythe programs and how you can join.

2417 Vacation Memories with Gemini and Bing (Apr. 24, 2024


2417 Vacation Memories with Gemini and Bing (Apr. 24, 2024)


Show Notes

Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey return home from their trip to San Diego and use AI to review photos they took while there. See how they used both Google’s Gemini and Microsoft’s Bing image description tools to reminisce about their visits to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park, the San Diego Air and Space Museum, and evening walks along La Jolla beach.

2416 On Vacation with Be My Eyes (Apr. 17, 2024)


2416 On Vacation with Be My Eyes (Apr. 17, 2024)


Show Notes

Come on a fun filled vacation with hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey as they tour sites in San Diego using the Be My Eyes app as their AI tour guide. In this episode they visit the Cannibal Museum, the Museum of Us, and the model railroad museum. See how they use Be My Eyes to enhance the experience with detailed descriptions of the exhibits and answer questions.

2415 The Envision Glasses and Envision AI App (Apr. 10, 2024)


2415 The Envision Glasses and Envision AI App (Apr. 10, 2024)


Show Notes

The Envision Glasses and app feature real-time text recognition, voice controls, and hands-free video calling for people who are blind or have low vision enabling them to access everyday visual information for themselves. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Karthik Kannan, founder and CTO of Envision, about the glasses and the free to use Envision AI app.

2414 Encore of 1845 Seeing the Stars His Own Way (Apr. 3, 2024)


2414 Encore of 1845 Seeing the Stars His Own Way (Apr. 3, 2024)


Show Notes

Astronomy is often thought of as based on visual observation. As it turns out most raw astronomical observations are not visible and must be transformed to be perceived by humans. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Morgan Rehnberg, a blind astronomer, about these issues in relation to those who are vision impaired and how he’s able to do his job.

2413 Music Education for the Visually Impaired (Mar. 27, 2024)


2413 Music Education for the Visually Impaired (Mar. 27, 2024)


Show Notes

The Filomen M. D’Agostino Greenberg Music School (FMDG Music School) is committed to helping visually impaired people pursue their study of music. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Dalia Sakas, Director of Music Studies at the FMDG Music School, about the instructional programs, performances, and remote learning opportunities offered by the school.

2412 RightHear Expands to More Venues (Mar. 20, 2024)


2412 RightHear Expands to More Venues (Mar. 20, 2024)


Show Notes

RightHear works with your smart phone to provide talking signage, so everyone can interpret and understand their surroundings in real time. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Idan Meir, co-founder of RightHear, about how this simple to use and easily implemented blue tooth solution works to assist visually impaired people in different venues.

2411 Encore of 1244 Hiking the Appalachian Trail Solo (Mar. 13, 2024)


2411 Encore of 1244 Hiking the Appalachian Trail Solo (Mar. 13, 2024)


Show Notes

A long hike can be much more than a walk in the woods. We’ll talk with Karl Ritter, also known as Bats, about long distance hiking including his end-to-end hike on the 2200 mile long Appalachian Trail. Karl has very little vision and did the first 500 miles alone. Learn how he used other senses and tools to compensate as well as what was in his first aid kit.

2409 A Community of Medical Professionals (Feb. 28, 2024)


2409 A Community of Medical Professionals (Feb. 28, 2024)


Show Notes

Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Andrea Lendaris, Bo (Kevin) Barley, and Silpa Tadavarthy about their experiences as visually impaired medical professionals and the impact that the Disability in Medical Mutual Mentorship Program (DM3P) has made in their training and careers. They discuss the community built by DM3P and the support it provides.

2408 The Disability in Medicine Mutual Mentorship Program (Feb. 21, 2024)


2408 The Disability in Medicine Mutual Mentorship Program (Feb. 21, 2024)


Show Notes

The Disability in Medicine Mutual Mentorship Program (DM3P) is a grassroots organization that supports disabled healthcare professionals and trainees as they navigate the field of medicine. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with members Erin Jarrell and Suchita Rastogi about why and how the organization was formed and how its members benefit each other.

2407 Biped – The Smart Mobility Aid (Feb. 14, 2024)


2407 Biped – The Smart Mobility Aid (Feb. 14, 2024)


Show Notes

Now the technology used in self-driving cars comes to a smart harness worn by the blind to warn of obstacles and assist navigating using a combination of GPS and audio feedback. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with co-founder and CEO Maël Fabien about the development of the Biped device, the technology behind it, and how it works.

2406 From Science to Linguistics to Both (Feb. 7, 2024)


2406 From Science to Linguistics to Both (Feb. 7, 2024)


Show Notes

Sheri Wells-Jensen wanted to be a scientist when she was young. Unfortunately, being blind as well as female she was discouraged from pursuing such a career by those around her. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Sheri, now an Associate Professor of Linguistics, about her journey and how she was able to merge science into her career.

2405 Making Space Exploration Accessible (Jan. 31, 2024)


2405 Making Space Exploration Accessible (Jan. 31, 2024)


Show Notes

Sheri Wells-Jensen is a fully blind Associate Professor of Linguistics at Bowling Green State University who spent six days with four crew members in a hermetically sealed habitat at Biosphere 2, learning about what it would be like living on Mars or the Moon. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Sheri about the experience and what was learned.

2403 Echo Heart Rate App for iOS (Jan. 17, 2024)


2403 Echo Heart Rate App for iOS (Jan. 17, 2024)


Show Notes

Using Voiceover to monitor one’s heart rate while running on a noisy treadmill wearing an Apple Watch and noise cancelling AirPods is difficult. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Alex Weiner, developer at PK Fitness, about how he added Siri commands to provide on demand speech feedback in their Echo Heart Rate app, as well as about their Fat Burn app.

2402 Meet the Host – Nancy Goodman Torpey (Jan. 10, 2024)


2402 Meet the Host – Nancy Goodman Torpey (Jan. 10, 2024)


Show Notes

The microphone is turned around on Nancy Torpey this week when she is interviewed by Glen Gordon, Software Fellow at Freedom Scientific and host of the FSCast podcast. In this episode you’ll learn how Nancy became interested in science, how she and Peter met, her education and career as a female scientist in a male dominated profession, and more.

2401 Meet the Host – Peter Torpey (Jan. 3, 2024)


2401 Meet the Host – Peter Torpey (Jan. 3, 2024)


Show Notes

Late last year, Glen Gordon, Software Fellow at Freedom Scientific and host of the FSCast podcast, interviewed Peter Torpey about his life and career as a blind scientist. In these excerpts from the FSCast episode you’ll learn how Peter became interested in science, how he and Nancy met, about his work in image science at Xerox, and more.

2352 Turning the Tables on the Torpey’s (Dec. 27, 2023)


2352 Turning the Tables on the Torpey’s (Dec. 27, 2023)


Show Notes

Capping off the 13th year of Eyes On Success, Sam Jasmine, host of the Disability and Progress podcast, interviews hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey about their show. You’ll learn how Eyes On Success got started, the mission of the show, how it evolved over the years, how guests are selected, and what the show has come to mean for the Torpey’s.

2351 Foresight Adventure Guides for the Blind (Dec. 20, 2023)


2351 Foresight Adventure Guides for the Blind (Dec. 20, 2023)


Show Notes

Foresight provides accessible and affordable outdoor recreation like skiing and snowboarding for individuals with blindness or low vision, promoting fun, safety, and independence. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with board member and guide Bill Murphy, board member and participant Kevin Foster, and blind skier Claire Schultz about the program and their experiences.

2350 Uber – Making Movement Equal for All (Dec. 13, 2023)



2350 Uber – Making Movement Equal for All (Dec. 13, 2023)



Show Notes


Visually impaired people making use of a ride sharing service may have unique concerns such as the accessibility of the service, safety, accommodations for a guide dog, etc. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Briana Gilmore and Chris Yoon from Uber about how Uber addresses these concerns through its commitment to providing equal access to movement.

2349 Beyond Human Eyesight – AI and Visual Assistance (Dec. 6, 2023)


2349 Beyond Human Eyesight – AI and Visual Assistance (Dec. 6, 2023)


Show Notes

The Be My Eyes app now offers users their choice of whether to work with a sighted volunteer, an AI bot, or specific people in their own group of friends and family. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with founder and CEO Hans Jørgen Wiberg about the various options as well as recent privacy issues around facial description and recognition.

2348 Raising Awareness One Video at a Time (Nov. 29, 2023)


2348 Raising Awareness One Video at a Time (Nov. 29, 2023)


Show Notes

Lucy Edwards is a blind broadcaster, content creator, and disability activist living in the UK. One of her goals is to change how people see blindness. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Lucy about what motivated her to start her social media presence, how it led to a position with the BBC, and why she says she has her dream job.

2347 iOS Access for All for iOS 17 (Nov. 22, 2023)


2347 iOS Access for All for iOS 17 (Nov. 22, 2023)


Show Notes

Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Shelly Brisbin, author of “iOS Access for All: Your Comprehensive Guide to Accessibility for iPhone and iPad”, about this valuable reference guide. Shelly discusses what can be found in the book and highlights features of interest including Point To Speak, customizing Voiceover voices, Personal Voice, and more.

2346 Desmos Tools for Mathematics (Nov. 15, 2023)


2346 Desmos Tools for Mathematics (Nov. 15, 2023)


Show Notes

Desmos Studios offers a variety of accessible software tools for working with mathematics including scientific and graphing calculators, a matrix calculator, and a new 3-D calculator. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Accessibility Specialist Stephen Clower from Desmos about how they came to make these tools accessible and about how they work.

2345 Tutorials for Using Band-in-a-Box with JAWS (Nov. 8, 2023)


2345 Tutorials for Using Band-in-a-Box with JAWS (Nov. 8, 2023)


Show Notes

Band-in-a-Box is a program that can be used to create complete professional arrangements of songs in almost any style by just typing in chords. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Gudrun Brunot about the tutorials she and Roy Robinson developed to help users navigate the myriad of features and enable them to effectively use the program with special JAWS scripts.

2344 Encore of 2020 Band-in-a-Box and the Updated JAWS Scripts (Nov. 1, 2023)


2344 Encore of 2020 Band-in-a-Box and the Updated JAWS Scripts (Nov. 1, 2023)


Show Notes

Band-in-a-Box from PG Music continues to evolve and introduce new features that are appealing to both professional and amateur musicians alike. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Tobin Frank, chief development officer at PG Music, about the program and how the scripts Peter developed make this program accessible with the JAWS screen reader.

2343 Skateboarding with a Pop, Grind, and Flip (Oct. 25, 2023)


2343 Skateboarding with a Pop, Grind, and Flip (Oct. 25, 2023)


Show Notes

Justin Bishop was fully sighted when he started skateboarding at 10 years old. Despite losing all of his useful sight in his 20’s, Justin’s dedication to skateboarding has been unwavering. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Justin about his passion for skateboarding and what accommodations he makes to enable him to excel at this active sport.

2342 Timecrest Fantasy Game for iOS (Oct. 18, 2023)


2342 Timecrest Fantasy Game for iOS (Oct. 18, 2023)


Show Notes

Jump Into the World of Fantasy with Timecrest. Get a chance to turn back time and save the world as the main character in the Timecrest fantasy game from Sneaky Crab. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Justin Ng, who co-founded Sneaky Crab with Lisa Gu, about how they made the game accessible with Voiceover and received an AppleVis Golden Apple award for Developer of the Year.

2341 Apple Accessibility – Making Tech For Everyone (Oct. 11, 2023)


2341 Apple Accessibility – Making Tech For Everyone (Oct. 11, 2023)


Show Notes

Apple works to make their products accessible to everyone by supporting vision, hearing, speech, motor, and cognitive disabilities in all of their devices. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Dean Hudson, an Accessibility Evangelist at Apple, about the range of accessibility features including the newly announced “Live Speech” feature and Personalized Voices.

2339 Accessibility of Amazon Products (Sep. 27, 2023)


2339 Accessibility of Amazon Products (Sep. 27, 2023)


Show Notes

Amazon is dedicated to making their devices and services not only user friendly but also accessible to everyone no matter what their individual challenges might be. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Peter Korn, director of accessibility for Amazon’s devices and services business, about how their design philosophy enhances the experience for all.

2338 The Tech Toolbox from Orbit Research (Sep. 20, 2023)


2338 The Tech Toolbox from Orbit Research (Sep. 20, 2023)


Show Notes

Orbit Research carries a wide variety of products suitable for students, professionals, and home use. These range from talking and graphics calculators to multi-line and graphical braille displays, to low vision magnifiers to braille computers. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Venkatesh Chari, President and CEO of Orbit Research, about their many offerings.

2337 Joining the ACB Community (Sep. 13, 2023)


2337 Joining the ACB Community (Sep. 13, 2023)


Show Notes

People with visual impairments may experience geographical and/or social isolation. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Cindy Hollis, Manager of Membership Engagement for the American Council of the Blind (ACB) about the many virtual community events that they host aimed at bringing people with a wide range of interests from around the world together.

2336 See the World the Way You Want with the ReBokeh App (Sep. 6, 2023)


2336 See the World the Way You Want with the ReBokeh App (Sep. 6, 2023)


Show Notes

Rebecca Rosenberg felt that none of the built-in accessibility features in her smart phone were designed to address her particular needs and vision disorder so she got to work. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Rebecca about how she started a company that developed an iOS app that helps her and others interact with and see the “real world”.

2334 Going Beyond the Words in Documents and Presentations (Aug. 23, 2023)


2334 Going Beyond the Words in Documents and Presentations (Aug. 23, 2023)


Show Notes

Creating impactful documents and presentations is important for connecting with sighted individuals in all walks of life. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Judy Dixon about her latest books, “Designing Documents for Appearance” and “The Power of PowerPoint”, that give tips on how those who are visually impaired can produce such material.

2333 The Sky Is the Limit – A Skydiving Adventure (Aug. 16, 2023)


2333 The Sky Is the Limit – A Skydiving Adventure (Aug. 16, 2023)


Show Notes

Zach Tidwell is a blind military veteran who enjoys a variety of physical activities such as snowboarding, ski biking, mountain biking, rock-climbing, white-water kayaking, jiu-jitsu, rafting, and recently, skydiving. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Zach about skydiving without sight and how it compared to skydiving before he lost his sight.

2332 Cracking the Code of Darkness (Aug. 9, 2023)


2332 Cracking the Code of Darkness (Aug. 9, 2023)


Show Notes

Zach Tidwell was a marine who lost all of his sight in an instant during a period of deep depression. Despite all odds, he quickly adapted to blindness and taught himself to code. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Zach about his incredible journey, the Zanagrams app he created, and his plans to develop future accessible apps for iOS devices.

2331 Encore of 1813 Outtakes from Eyes On Success (Aug. 2, 2023)


2331 Encore of 1813 Outtakes from Eyes On Success (Aug. 2, 2023)


Show Notes

They say that nothing is ever perfect. Fortunately, though, with a little extra work, most mistakes can be fixed. That even applies to the productions of Eyes On Success. Sit back and enjoy some laughs with hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey as they enjoy some Summer fun by sharing some humorous moments that never made it into the show.

2330 Navigating the Transition to Sight Loss (Jul. 26, 2023)


2330 Navigating the Transition to Sight Loss (Jul. 26, 2023)


Show Notes

In his new book “The Country of the Blind: A Memoir At the End of Sight”, author and audio producer Andrew Leland chronicles his slow progression from sightedness to blindness due to Retinitis Pigmentosa. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Andrew about the book, his transition through various stages of sight loss, and what he learned along the way.

2328 Accessibility of Google Android and G Suite (Jul. 12, 2023)


2328 Accessibility of Google Android and G Suite (Jul. 12, 2023)


Show Notes

Google continually introduces new features in their products to make them more accessible for people with disabilities. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Jyotsna Kaki, a blind Accessibility Analyst at Google about a number of the latest G Suite and Android OS features, designed to enhance the experience for visually impaired users.

2327 Preparing for Employment with Clusiv (Jul. 5, 2023)


2327 Preparing for Employment with Clusiv (Jul. 5, 2023)


Show Notes

Clusiv offers a screen-reader friendly, on-line training program aimed at providing blind clients with the skills to find meaningful employment. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Tamer Zaid, who recently went through the program, about how the program works, the courses he took, and how the skills he learned helped prepare him for the workforce.

2326 The Key to Being a Piano Technician (Jun. 28, 2023)


2326 The Key to Being a Piano Technician (Jun. 28, 2023)


Show Notes

Tuning and repairing pianos is a profession that can be enjoyable and rewarding even if one is blind. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Dewald van Deventer, a blind piano technician living in South Africa, about his musical background and training, as well as the ins and outs of his daily work traveling between several neighboring towns.

2324 Woodworking By Touch (Jun. 14, 2023)


2324 Woodworking By Touch (Jun. 14, 2023)


Show Notes

Dave Carlson was introduced to woodworking as a youth, watching and helping his dad in the shop. However, it wasn’t until losing his sight to RP in his 40’s and was inspired to make a toybox for his grandson that he took on this hobby in earnest. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Dave about his experiences as a blind woodworker and how it all works.

2323 Be My Eyes Virtual Volunteer (Jun. 7, 2023)


2323 Be My Eyes Virtual Volunteer (Jun. 7, 2023)


Show Notes

Be My Eyes is an app that connects blind individuals and their cameras to sighted volunteers for real-time assistance. Now the power of AI comes to the app with the addition of their “virtual volunteer” option. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with founder and CEO Hans Jørgen Wiberg about the power of this new feature and how it can be used.

2322 Blazing the Trails with Awarewolf Gear (May 31, 2023)


2322 Blazing the Trails with Awarewolf Gear (May 31, 2023)


Show Notes

Sedona Dave is blind and was tired of people not noticing him when walking around town and crashing into him. He also wanted a better and safer way of hiking the trails around him. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Dave about how he solved his problems by starting Awarewolf Gear a journey that was frustrating at times, but rewarding in the end.

2321 Awarewolf Gear All Terrain Cane (May 24, 2023)


2321 Awarewolf Gear All Terrain Cane (May 24, 2023)


Show Notes

The All Terrain Cane (ATC) is a sturdy folding cane designed for blind hikers. Made of lightweight titanium and having an adjustable length, the ATC is suitable for a variety of terrains. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Sedona Dave, founder of Awarewolf Gear, about how he came up with the idea, and the benefits of using it for hiking and other outdoor activities.

2320 Firefox Accessibility Enhancements (May 17, 2023)


2320 Firefox Accessibility Enhancements (May 17, 2023)


Show Notes

Accessibility has always been an important factor in the development of the Mozilla Firefox web browser. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Jamie Teh, technical lead for accessibility at the Mozilla Foundation, about recent improvements to both the accessibility and responsiveness of Firefox for those using screen readers as well and how that work is done.


2319 NVDA – A Community Driven Project (May 10, 2023)


2319 NVDA – A Community Driven Project (May 10, 2023)


Show Notes

The NVDA screen reader was first released in 2006 and continues to be used by people around the world. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with founder Michael Curran about the ongoing development efforts of NVDA, including the active community involvement and feedback-driven approach that continue to shape the future of this free and open-source software.


2318 BrailleDoodle Tactile Tablet (May 3, 2023)


2318 BrailleDoodle Tactile Tablet (May 3, 2023)


Show Notes

The BrailleDoodle is an inexpensive refreshable 2-sided tablet for learning Braille and creating tactile images. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with inventor Daniel Lubiner, CEO and founder of TouchPad Pro Foundation which makes the device, about the inspiration for the device, its features, and the role it can play in education and daily life.

2317 Trailblazing for Inclusivity (Apr. 26, 2023)


2317 Trailblazing for Inclusivity (Apr. 26, 2023)


Show Notes

Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Greg Daniels, who has been blind since youth, about his journey of overcoming challenges and achieving success as a computer programmer for over 35 years. Before “inclusion” was popular, Greg’s story exemplifies the power of determination, resilience, and the importance of the support of family, teachers, and employers.

2316 Musical Scores with the Accessible MuseScore 4 (Apr. 19, 2023)


2316 Musical Scores with the Accessible MuseScore 4 (Apr. 19, 2023)


Show Notes

MuseScore is a sophisticated and feature rich program for creating and listening to musical scores. The release of version 4 brings many improvements to accessibility for people using screen readers. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Marc Sabatella, an educator and one of the developers of MuseScore, about this free, open source application.

2315 The Beat Goes On – The Life of a Blind Music Producer (Apr. 12, 2023)


2315 The Beat Goes On – The Life of a Blind Music Producer (Apr. 12, 2023)


Show Notes

Scott Chesworth is a blind music producer who also offers mixing and mastering services for his clients. He can often be found tutoring and training others. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Scott about his journey into music, his passion for working with others and his commitment to making music accessible for people with disabilities.

2314 Memoirs of a Guide Dog (Apr. 5, 2023)


2314 Memoirs of a Guide Dog (Apr. 5, 2023)


Show Notes

Mark Carlson is familiar with blindness as it runs in his family. He has come to view his lack of sight as second nature and approaches life with a positive outlook and sense of humor. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Mark about his life and the books he has written about his guide dogs as well as his other passion, military strategy.

2313 Innovations from the DAISY Consortium (Mar. 29, 2023)


2313 Innovations from the DAISY Consortium (Mar. 29, 2023)


Show Notes

The DAISY Consortium is an international organization that aims to improve access to information for people with print disabilities around the world. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with George Kerscher and Richard Orme about their impact on e-pub standards and their latest work to reach more people in underdeveloped countries.

2312 Braille Ignition Kits from NBP (Mar. 22, 2023)


2312 Braille Ignition Kits from NBP (Mar. 22, 2023)


Show Notes

The National Braille Press produces a variety of braille books and manuals for all ages and interests. Now they have released a set of resource kits developed specifically for teachers of the visually impaired. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Kesel Wilson, editorial director at the NBP, about what is in these resource kits and how they can be used effectively.

2311 Victor Reader Stream 3 (Mar. 15, 2023)


2311 Victor Reader Stream 3 (Mar. 15, 2023)


Show Notes

The popular Victor Reader Stream from Humanware has recently been updated with an improved design and new features. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Mathieu Paquette, Product Manager of Victor Reader products, and Peter Tucic, Director of Strategic Partnerships, about this accessible palm-sized multimedia device and why you might enjoy using it.

2310 The Blind Kitchen (Mar. 8, 2023)


2310 The Blind Kitchen (Mar. 8, 2023)


Show Notes

Debra Erickson is the executive chef and founder of The Blind Kitchen where adaptive tools, helpful strategies, and specialized knowledge are provided to blind and vision-impaired people who want to cook safely, confidently, and independently. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Debra who shares tips and tools that make working in the kitchen safer and easier.

2309 Eschenbach’s Haus Call Tele-low-vision Program (Mar. 1, 2023)


2309 Eschenbach’s Haus Call Tele-low-vision Program (Mar. 1, 2023)


Show Notes

Although assistive devices can’t improve your vision, they can help you use the vision you do have to perform tasks more easily. Now you can work with a specialist remotely to find the device that’s right for you. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Timothy Gels, director of marketing for Eschenbach Optik of America about their tele-low-vision service.

2308 An Inside Look at Audio Book Narration (Feb. 22, 2023)


2308 An Inside Look at Audio Book Narration (Feb. 22, 2023)


Show Notes

Listening to audio books has become a very popular way of reading. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Hillary Huber, a voice actress who has narrated over 700 audio books for both blind and sighted listeners, about how audio books are made, the challenges faced by narrators, and what makes her job fun and rewarding. There’s more to it than you’d expect.

2307 The Path to Employment with NSITE (Feb. 15, 2023)


2307 The Path to Employment with NSITE (Feb. 15, 2023)


Show Notes

NSITE is an organization that trains, prepares, and helps blind clients obtain employment. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Matthew Kehl, a blind job seeker who completed a program through NSITE and obtained a Sourcing Specialist certificate. He shares his experiences with the training and support from NSITE in helping him secure employment.

2306 Encore of 1831 Rocky Mountain Highs and Lows (Feb. 8, 2023)


2306 Encore of 1831 Rocky Mountain Highs and Lows (Feb. 8, 2023)


Show Notes

Join hosts Peter and Nancy Torpey as they explore their new home state of Colorado in celebration of their 35th anniversary. Follow them as they prepare for their journey, walk trails along raging rivers, hike along narrow ledges hanging on steep canyon walls, and more. You might even learn the true story of Mike the headless chicken!

2305 Orbis Flying Eye Hospital (Feb. 1, 2023)


2305 Orbis Flying Eye Hospital (Feb. 1, 2023)


Show Notes

Vision impairment affects many people around the world. Unfortunately, it is difficult to reach and treat people who live in remote areas. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Maria Montero, an ophthalmologist and assistant director of clinical services of the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital about how their model addresses the problem.

2304 Equipping Beep Baseball Worldwide (Jan. 25, 2023)


2304 Equipping Beep Baseball Worldwide (Jan. 25, 2023)


Show Notes

Learn how beep baseballs are made as well as about the surprising connection between beep baseball and the phone company when hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with John Cruz, lead volunteer for the group that assembles beep baseball equipment, and J Kelly, chapter president of the Colorado Legacy West Pioneers. We’ll also talk about how the game is played.

2303 The View from Inside at Vispero (Jan. 18, 2023)


2303 The View from Inside at Vispero (Jan. 18, 2023)


Show Notes

Ryan Jones has recently stepped up to take on the role of Vice President of Software Products at Vispero following the retirement of Eric Damery who held that position for many years. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with Ryan about how his long career with Vispero has prepared him for this role and his outlook for the future of accessibility.

2302 JAWS Evolves to Meet Changing Needs (Jan. 11, 2023)


2302 JAWS Evolves to Meet Changing Needs (Jan. 11, 2023)


Show Notes

In this second of a two-part series, we talk about how the JAWS screen reader has had to adapt to advances in computer technology as well as to the evolving requirements of users. Hosts Nancy and Peter Torpey talk with long time colleagues and friends Ted Henter, Eric Damery, and Glen Gordon as they reminisce about their contributions to accessibility.

A weekly, haf hour radio show / podcast covering a wide variety of topics of interest to the visually impaired